GAMES .: REVIEW
GAMEBOY ADVANCE

October 2001
by Jae Lurman

ADVANCE WARS

Nintendo knew they were onto something big when they decided to invade the western world with Advance Wars. Based on a series made exclusively to the Japanese for an entire decade, Advance Wars is now set on world-domination. With its class, spunk and irresistable charm, it will succeed. Fact : No respectable GBA player should be without this title, one which literally appeals to anyone and everyone.

For sure, many people (as well as myself) don't consider themselves avid strategy gamers and will have doubts about making a risky purchase. It wasn't until I found myself obbsessively occupying anothers Advance Wars cart, that I realised I MUST have this game all for myself.

The action centers around the Orange Star Army, whom under your guidance, must drive back the invading Blue Moon army. However, doing so only leads to new opposition from the Green Earth and Yellow Comet forces, and all will eventually be called upon as allies against an unknown evil entity.

Turn-based battles take place in the air, on land, and at sea. The usual objective of each mission is to defeat the opposing army by any means neccessary. Victory is gained when all the enemies units are destroyed or you have captured their Headquarters nestled deep behind enemy lines. Some missions also require a different approach; protecting a certain unit, search and destroy, or conquest of "neutral" cities. No mission is successful without strategic tactics.

The main resource available to you is the ability to build and deploy units from factories, airports and seaports. Units at your disposal include infantry, tanks, transports, rocket and missile launchers, fighter and bomber jets, helicopters, battle and cruise ships and submarines. The units have a specific movement and attack range, which can be affected by weather and terrain restrictions. Each unit's strengths and weaknesses work in your favour or to your disadvantage. The real strategy is to know when and how to strike and what to strike with. Vitally helpful tutorials explain the basics of survival, but the sharpest skills come only from extensive practice.

One thing that you quickly become aware of is how appealing and easy to use the menu interface really is. Have a question? Need special intelligence on a unit or terrain type? Advice? It's all there.

The characters really shine in Advance Wars, giving the it something original that is completely missing from many strategy games : depth. From Andy the budding youthful apprentice to Kanbei the fierce act-first-ask-questions-later dictator (whose clever daughter Sonja constantly reminds him of his mistakes), to Max the brawn of Orange Star. Each has strengths and weaknesses and each also has a special ability which can be unleashed when their Power Meter is full. Master of the skies, Eagle, has the ability to move his heavy units twice in one day. Olaf's chilling Blizzard attack brings snow, and with it heavy penalties for the opposing side's movement.

When victory is achieved you are awarded coins which can be traded in to unlock new maps and playable characters. An excellent feature of the game is it's multiplayer modes. You and three friends need only one GBA and one Advance Wars cart to enjoy an all out war. Battle on pre-determined battlefields or create your own using the Design Maps feature. The possibilities are endless.

The overall presentation of the game is upto Nintendo's highest standards. Bright and beautiful aesthetics make it that much more enjoyable crushing the enemy, accompanied by some of the cutest most catchy tunes ever created on a handheld thus far. Advance Wars is bound to turn even the heads of non-strategy gamers of all ages the world over because its just so damn fun and addictive. Trust Nintendo to achieve this perfection.

Genre - Turn Based Strategy

Developer - Intelligent Systems
Publisher - Nintendo
Release - October 2001

Also Known As - Gameboy Wars Advance (Japan)

Players - 1 to 4
with or without link cables

Link Options - Trade designed maps, multiplay matches (single/multi-pak)

Save - Battery

TIP
Friends are going to be required for multi-player battles!

EXTRA MEDIA
Desktop wallpapers that I have created.

(Click a link below, Right Mouse Click over the image and select Set as Wallpaper from the menu)

Andy - 800x600
Sami - 800x600
Max - 800x600
Orange Star Army - 800x600

EXTRA MEDIA
Interesting Japanese screen shots

Olaf is really Santa? That would explain all the snow...

Drake, Sir Francis Drake

Grit looking very Western

Kanbei from Feudal Japan

Nell looking less "formal" than her American counterpart

INTERESTING FACT
This game's release was rumoured to be cancelled in Europe because of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA, however it was just delayed and the game is finally out in Europe.

LINKS
Official Site
Advance Wars.de

Graphics - 9
The cute anime style and bright colours are eye catching.

Sound - 9
You'll be humming these tunes all day.

Gameplay - 10
Completely and utterly addictive. Flawless strategy elements. Fun.

Lastability - 10
Virtually endless. Theres so much to unlock. Add to that a limitless multiplayer.

Characters - 8
Colourful cast of personalities make them instantly likeable.

Overall - 10/10
Perfect. A must-own.